Graduate Diploma in Science
Why study the Graduate Diploma in Science at UNE?
The Graduate Diploma in Science provides an opportunity for graduates to upgrade or extend their qualifications in a field of study not covered in depth in their undergraduate studies. Study programs are designed to meet the candidate's interests and academic background and involve a combination of course work selected from a chosen field of study. Available fields of study are: applied statistics, biochemistry, biodiversity science, biomedical science, chemistry, computational data science, genetics, health, mathematics, medicinal chemistry, physical sciences, quantitative ecology, regulatory science and zoology.
Articulation to the Master of Scientific Studies:
On completion of the Graduate Diploma, students who have obtained an overall GPA of 5 or better are eligible to articulate to the Master of Scientific Studies with 24 credit points of advanced standing for units completed towards the Graduate Diploma.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities are possible in small and large businesses, industry, government, teaching and research. Examples include positions in the departments of primary industries, resource management, water and land resources, CSIRO, environmental protection authorities, forestry commissions, national parks and wildlife services and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). Industry opportunities include positions in computing, consulting, botanical gardens and museums, manufacturing, electronics, mining and oil.
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Degree Snapshot
DURATION
1 Year Full-time
Up to 4 years Part-time
FEES
CSP (quotas apply)
Full Fee
International
2018 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale
Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus
Official Abbreviation | GradDipSc | |||||||||||||||
Course Type | Postgraduate | |||||||||||||||
CRICOS Code | 000452E | |||||||||||||||
Commencing |
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Course Duration |
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Fees | CSP (quotas apply) / Full Fee / International | |||||||||||||||
Total Credit Points | 48 | |||||||||||||||
Intensive Schools | Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements. |
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Entry Requirements | A candidate shall; (a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline; or (b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours in a relevant discipline; or (c) hold an AQF Level 9 Master in a relevant discipline; or (d) hold an AQF Level 10 Doctorate in a relevant discipline. Relevant disciplines include, but are not restricted to: Biochemistry; Biology; Botany; Chemistry; Computational Science; Genetics; Geology; Mathematics; Medicinal Chemistry; Microbiology; Neuroscience; Physics; Physiology; Statistics; and Zoology. A degree will be considered relevant to a nominated major if it includes study that covers the minimum assumed knowledge. Where it is not clear from their academic background, applicants may include a cover letter with their application describing how they have achieved the minimum assumed knowledge. Minimum Assumed Knowledge for Each Major Applied Statistics: one unit of statistics and one unit of (calculus-based) mathematics Biochemistry: two units of biology and two units of chemistry Biodiversity Science: two units of biology Biomedical Science: two units of biology and two units of chemistry Chemistry: two units of chemistry Computational Data Science: one unit of statistics and one unit of (calculus-based) mathematics and two programming intensive units Genetics: two units of biology and two units of chemistry Health: two units of biology and two units of chemistry Mathematics: two units of (calculus-based) mathematics Medicinal Chemistry: two units of chemistry and one additional unit of chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmaceutical science Physical Sciences: two units of physics, two units of chemistry and two units of (calculus-based) mathematics Quantitative Ecology: two units of statistics or mathematics, two units in any natural, physical, or social science, or equivalent Regulatory Science: four science-based units with at least two units at second year level or above or equivalent Zoology: two units of biology Note: Students wishing to complete the course on a full-time basis are strongly encouraged to have greater than the minimum assumed knowledge and to begin their study in first trimester. |
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Additional Requirements | Inherent Requirements: Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course. |
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Advanced Standing | Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing. Candidates admitted under Rule (a) may be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Advanced Standing based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based and which are deemed to be equivalent to units offered by the University and approved for the course. This may include 6 credit points on the basis of considerable relevant professional experience. Candidates admitted under Rule (b), (c) and (d) may be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Advanced standing shall not be granted for SCI499 or SCI501 or SCI502. |
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Academic Colours | Straw (BCC 51) |
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Further Information |
You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE |
Admission to Candidature
(a) A candidate shall hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours in a relevant discipline; or
(c) hold an AQF Level 9 Master in a relevant discipline; or
(d) hold an AQF Level 10 Doctorate in a relevant discipline.
Relevant disciplines include, but are not restricted to: Biochemistry; Biology; Botany; Chemistry; Computational Science; Genetics; Geology; Mathematics; Medicinal Chemistry; Microbiology; Neuroscience; Physics; Physiology; Statistics and Zoology. A degree will be considered relevant to a nominated major if it includes study that covers the minimum assumed knowledge. Where it is not clear from their academic background, applicants may include a cover letter with their application describing how they have achieved the minimum assumed knowledge.
Minimum Assumed Knowledge for Each Major
Applied Statistics: one unit of statistics and one unit of (calculus-based) mathematics
Biochemistry: two units of biology and two units of chemistry
Biodiversity Science: two units of biology
Biomedical Science: two units of biology and two units of chemistry
Chemistry: two units of chemistry
Computational Data Science: one unit of statistics and one unit of (calculus-based) mathematics and two programming intensive units
Genetics: two units of biology and two units of chemistry
Health: two units of biology and two units of chemistry
Mathematics: two units of (calculus-based) mathematics
Medicinal Chemistry: two units of chemistry and one additional unit of chemistry, biochemistry or pharmaceutical science
Physical Sciences: two units of physics, two units of chemistry and two units of (calculus-based) mathematics
Quantitative Ecology: two units of statistics or mathematics, two units in any natural, physical or social science or equivalent
Regulatory Science: four science-based units with at least two units at second year level or above or equivalent
Zoology: two units of biology
Note: Students wishing to complete the course on a full-time basis are strongly encouraged to have greater than the minimum assumed knowledge and to begin their study in first trimester.
Additional Requirements
Inherent Requirements
Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.
Advanced Standing
Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Candidates admitted under Rule (a) may be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Advanced Standing based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based and which are deemed to be equivalent to units offered by the University and approved for the course. This may include 6 credit points on the basis of considerable relevant professional experience.
Candidates admitted under Rules (b), (c) and (d) may be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature.
Advanced standing shall not be granted for SCI499 or SCI501 or SCI502.
Period of Candidature
The period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.
Course Requirements
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points with not more than 12 credit points at 100-level and at least 30 credit points at 400-level or above from one of the Approved Majors.
Program of Study
Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:
Course Structure | Credit Points |
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One Major | 48 cps |
Total | 48 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
Approved Majors
Applied Statistics
Biochemistry
Biodiversity Science
Biomedical Science
Chemistry
Computational Data Science
Genetics
Health
Mathematics
Medicinal Chemistry
Physical Sciences
Quantitative Ecology
Regulatory Science
Zoology
Award of Degree
Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Science.
Appeals
Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.
Course Progression
Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.
Improper Conduct
Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.
Course Aims |
To have an understanding that: · Science encompasses both a body of knowledge and a reliable process of discovery. It is founded upon the recognition of fundamental laws that make nature systematic and reproducible. · Scientists observe, measure, classify and perform experiments upon the natural world. They employ scientific methods to test hypotheses and use empirical evidence to support or refute their hypotheses. The natural variability, or uncertainty, inherent in the natural world means that scientific conclusions are reliable but contestable: they may be revised or modified as new evidence emerges. Scientists are curious about the natural world and are creative in formulating hypotheses and in designing approaches to problem solving. · Mathematics is used in science to model real-world systems and scientific data are often analysed using statistical methods. · Science operates within a paradigm of peer review and replication that provides a collective responsibility for the reliability of scientific knowledge. Scientists have a responsibility to communicate the outcomes of their work accurately and without bias to their peers and to society. · Science is embedded within a context that reflects both the history of scientific endeavor and the culture of present society. Scientists generate and build knowledge, develop technologies, investigate and solve problems.
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Learning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Graduate Attributes |
Knowledge of a DisciplineGraduates will understand scientific practice and have advanced knowledge in a discipline of science. They will be able to articulate aspects of the place and importance of science in the local and global community. Communication SkillsStudents demonstrate communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts; and transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences, including, where applicable, the possession of these skills in languages other than English. Problem SolvingGraduates will be able to investigate and solve problems by using recognised methods of science and appropriate practical techniques and tools. Information LiteracyStudents demonstrate the capacity to critically evaluate the sources, values and validity of information; and think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas. Specialised technical skills to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts. Ethical Conduct and Social ResponsibilityGraduates will be able to take social responsibility by recognising the relevant ethical frameworks within which science is practised and show a capacity for working responsibly and safely in both individual and team environments. Lifelong LearningGraduates will be able to take personal responsibility for lifelong learning by demonstrating a capacity for self-directed learning. Independence and CollaborationGraduates will have the ability to function effectively as members of teams or individually. |
How to Apply
Domestic Students
All domestic students apply through the link below
For more information, click here
International Students
International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International
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